Relief infrastructure and supporting systems

ABSTRACT

A stackable mobile platform vehicle with a body with attached tires and wheels. The vehicle body and operation components such as, computer controls, LCD screens, GPS, radio, fuel tank, engine, motor, generator and battery are removable. Motor and generator can be used together to generate electricity to supply power to lighting, communications equipment, water, water pumps, water filter and other equipment. The vehicle body or fame can be used to form buildings, walls, enclosures and the like.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the full Paris Convention benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/310,609, filed Mar. 4, 2010 the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to a mobile platform which converts to support for damaged, absent, overtaxed, off line or otherwise broken infrastructures.

SUMMARY

During disasters and emergencies, in particular, normal protocols for the operation of society and infrastructure of a community may become challenged, taxed or broken, recent events in New Orleans following hurricane Katrina and the devastating earthquakes in Chile and in Haiti during 2010 are but a few examples. The overloading of an infrastructure or a component of an infrastructure which may include, but is not limited to, shelter, water supply, power, communications, lighting, food, medical care, and the like can exacerbate civil unrest and danger to lives and property in an emergency or disaster situation.

Time is of the essence in providing relief and establishing a functioning infrastructure or sub-infrastructure for delivering relief in areas faced with disaster or emergency. A stackable disaster/relief mobile vehicle platform which also breaks down to form parts of a sub infrastructure which comprises a minimal footprint for storage and shipping is therefore well suited for storage, shipment and delivery to the scene of an emergency or disaster to provide support and said infrastructure or sub infrastructure.

Providing communications, water and electrical power in a relief situation is important for bringing calm to a situation and protecting lives.

The disaster relief infrastructure vehicle (“DRIV”) platform has a internal combustion engine coupled with an electrical power generator that can power the DRIV with motive force to power the vehicle for travel and which is removable to provide a standalone generator for providing power to a temporary infrastructure, sub-infrastructure or to portions of an infrastructure. Removable fuel tanks from the DRIV platform can be used to form a fuel depot that can be used for heat (combustion fuel) and/or to power said internal combustion engine. Said internal combustion engine and said fuel tanks may also be reconnected to said DRIV vehicle after removal to again provide motive force.

For purposes of this disclosure removable means something that can be removed from a cage body or frame. Detachable means something that can be detached from at least a portion of the cage body or frame. All removable items are detachable; some detached items may remain fixed to other components or frame items but relocated into a different configuration.

In some implementations water modules transported on a DRIV can be removed to form reservoirs of water. In some instances said generator can be used to power a water pump (and/or water filtration system) to refill said water modules with drinking water.

In some implementations load bearing bed elements and decks of a DRIV may be removed to form platforms, walls, roofs, bridges and other supports.

In some implementations lighting elements of a DRIV can be removed and coupled to buildings, structures or natural elements to provide lighting which may be powered by said generator.

In some implementations an instrument cluster and/or communications elements such as GPS, navigation, LCD screens, DVD and CD players, microphones, and writers, computers, radios and/or cellular communications, gauges, speakers and the like can be removed from the DRIV and used to form at least a part of a communications grid.

In some implementations the battery(s) of said DRIV can be removed and used to store electrical power produced by said generator and/or to supply electricity.

In instances the DRIV and/or its components can be used form a water pumping assembly.

In some implementations rail structures which form beds on the DRIV may be removed to form fenced areas, corrals or as part of other structures.

In some implementations the DRIV platform body structure can be used to at least portions of structures such as walls, roofs, barricades, raised platforms, towers (for things such as lookouts, communications, protection and/or surveillance).

In some implementations the DRIV mobile infrastructure platform provides a frame with at least four removable tires and wheels, one or more removable fuel tanks, at least one removable battery, at least one removable electrical generator, at least one removable electrical motor, at least one removable transaxle coupled to the at least one electrical motor, at least one engine removably mounted in said cage body coupled to said electrical generator whereby electricity may be generated, at least one removable coupling between said electrical generator an said removable internal combustion engine, said transaxle is coupled to at least one of said wheels, and, a removable deck on top on said frame.

In some implementations the DRIV mobile infrastructure platform provides a frame with removable tires and wheels and a transaxle and each of the following items is either removable or detachable from said cage body or frame: fuel tank; battery; electrical generator; electrical motor; removable transaxle coupled to the at least electrical motor; engine mounted in said cage body; coupling between said electrical generator an said internal combustion engine; communications module;

DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features and objects of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a stackable disaster relief infrastructure vehicle “DRIV” platform.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a bottom view of a stackable disaster relief infrastructure vehicle “DRIV” platform.

FIG. 3 shows a triple stack of DRIVs.

FIG. 4 shows a vehicle platform with removable illumination elements.

FIG. 5 shows a DRIV with water module and auxiliary deck bed.

FIGS. 6A and 6B show an assembly view a DRIV with water tanks.

FIGS. 7A-7C show use of a DRIV body to form non-motive structures.

FIG. 8 shows use of a DRIV body to form non-motive structures.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show a DRIV combined structure which supports solar water modules and solar power.

FIG. 10 shows DRIV with removable cover.

It should be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the Figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to each other for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding elements.

DESCRIPTIONS

A DRIV or disaster relief infrastructure vehicle is a mobile platform which is uniquely adapted and adaptable for meeting emergency needs and delivering relief in situations wherein the relief providers do not have all the data points on the situation or the status of the geography, weather and population are in flux. Disclosed herein are exemplary, implementations of mobile platforms to provide and deliver at least one of relief supplies, assistance, infrastructure, communications, command, electrical power generation visa vie said DRIV. Within said DRIV is a system of engines and motors (also fuel tanks and batteries) which are used to provide motive force to move said DRIV. In fact they normally supply the motive force to move the DRIV to the site wherein assistance is needed. The DRIV system components are removable in the field (and replaceable) wherein an electrical power system for output to be used for non-motive power of at least between about between about 1 and about 100 KWHs can be available from one single DRIV.

FIGS. 1, 2A & 2B show exemplary implementation of a stackable mobile relief infrastructure support, temporary infrastructure, or sub infrastructure platform 10. A cage body 20 (shown as a tubular-type frame) with a large flat lower deck 25 that surrounds command module 30. Command module 30 consists of at least an operator's seat or bench, a control wheel, and instrument/communication cluster 40, levers and/or pedals for necessary controls of acceleration, gear selection and braking. Said command module 30 may include but is not limited to GPS, navigation, LCD screens, speakers, microphones, DVD and CD players and writers, computers, radios and/or cellular communications, gauges, and the like which can be detached or removed from the DRIV and used to form at least a part of a communications grid. Front lighting 50 is provided both in the cage body 20 and removably mounted to the body on posts with necessary electronic connections thereon. A fuel tank 60 is provided to supply fuel to at least one internal combustion engine 100 within the cage body. Winch 65 is attached to the cage body. The DRIV has multiple wheels and tires 70 which receive power from one or more motive force producing items such as an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, or a combination of both. A tubular-type frame is not a limitation and multipart, unibody, solid hollow, plastic, metal, alloy and/or composites may be used in all or part of said cage body.

Within the frame structure of the cage body 20 are one or more fuel tanks 60. The tubular frame structure is preferably implemented to have a load bearing capacity of at least about 2000 to 7000 lbs and a towing capacity of at least about 1000 to about 3000 lbs. However, in some exemplary implementations the weight of high load bearing may be traded off for light weight components or larger engines, motors or more fuel depending on the situation and the variables involved in a given emergency. The DRIV is not constrained to meet DOT or highway safety regulations. The DRIV lacks most safety features and comforts that are common place or required under highway regulations and it has high fuel capacity, high load and towing capacity. The DRIV has disaster-centric functionality.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a bottom view of a DRIV and major drive train and power components are called out. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that drive train and power components are routinely modified or swapped out for different capacity, geared or powered items depending on the intended use of a mobile vehicle, the fuel available or the intended area of usage, such shop modifications are all within the scope of this disclosure.

The DRIV contains internal combustion engine 100 which may be gasoline or diesel. The size of the engine and output is a factor of the intended usage of the vehicle. FIG. 2 depicts an about 1 liter diesel engine which is not a limitation. Engine 100 is connected to an on board fuel supply 60 and electrical storage device (battery) 120. The electrical storage consists of one or more batteries. Engine 100 is coupled to electrical generator 110 which provides power to a motor 120 (such as a traction motor) which is coupled to transaxle 130 to supply motive force to at least some of wheels 70. A four wheel drive “4WD” or all wheel drive “AWD” coupling 160 may be added to transfer power from the engine automatically or selectively to the front wheels 70 for propelling the vehicle.

Electrical power generated by generator 110 may be used by such things as at least one of electrical systems on the DRIV, power for the DRIV traction motor, equipment requiring power outside of the DRIV and modules or equipment coupled with, on or to the DRIV and is removable along with the engine to form infrastructure power system. In some instances the fuel tanks may be left connected to the DRIV and along with the wheels 70 the DRIV can be towed by another vehicle as a refillable fuel tanker to obtain additional fuel for powering engine 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates three stacked DRIVs 10. The DRIV platform in some implementations can be a platform that is stackable one DRIV upon another to minimize the shipping and storage footprint of the DRIV. A series of two stacked DRIV platforms preferably weigh less than about 4500 lbs. A series of three DRIV platforms, stacked preferably weigh less than about 6500 lbs. The height of each DRIV is minimized to provide a strong mobile structure with both a large flat surface a low height. Low height supports storage and shipping of the stacked DRIVs in various existing modalities such as aircrafts, trucks and ships. An important feature of the DRIVs is that command module 30 is set low enough to allow stacking. In some instances the command module is centered between the wheels of the above DRIV.

FIG. 4 shows a DRIV 200 with lighting modules. Removable raised lighting posts 210 are shown. Lamp post 210 removably mates with catches in the lower deck 25. In some instances integral illumination elements 220 are formed in said posts. In other instances lighting head elements 230 are removable from said posts 210. Integral illumination elements 220 are wired within said post (not shown). However, the wiring on lighting units may be external to the post as appropriate. Each lamp post 210 is shown with power jack (“Appendix A” illustrates general set up and wiring of said lights on a platform).

FIG. 5 shows a DRIV 300 with a removable auxiliary deck structure 310 coupled to the lower deck 25. Removable water tanks (or modules) 320 with valves 325 rest on top of the flat lower deck 25. Above the water tanks is an auxiliary deck 310. The auxiliary deck 310 has a deck top shown as a grid mesh (however, depending on usage and weight requirements it may be wood, plastic, metal, tubular, or other materials and shapes). The auxiliary deck 330 is supported over the water modules with deck legs 335. Each deck leg has a latching end 340 (see “Appendix A” for details) which fits within catches 350 formed in the flat lower deck 25. The auxiliary deck 310 may also have pass through catches (see “Appendix A”) formed therein wherein additional decks, legs, supports, rails 360 and the like may be added.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate the use of removable components of the DRIV to construct support infrastructure after the DRIV has driven itself to a location in need of said support. Removed from the body cage 20 is electrical generation system 1000 of coupled components. In some circumstances all of the components in electrical generation system 1000 are components which are used in the operation of the DRIV platform when which they have been removed. In other circumstances at least some of the electrical generation system 1000 were not used in the operation of the DRIV platform.

Within the electrical generation system 1000 basic components may include engine 100 coupled to generator 110 with fuel being supplied to the engine from fuel tank 60. In most instances the initial DC output of the generator is altered to form a modified electrical output. In some instances, one or more lines out 400 from the generator pass to an inverter 410 to convert the DC to AC. In some instances one or more lines out 400 supplies DC from the generator to charge a battery power supply 415. In some instances one or more lines out 400 supplies DC from the generator to a DC to DC converter 420 wherein an output line 425 carrying current of a selected type is output. AC line out 425 provides power to the illumination devices within or supported on the lamp posts 210. The lower deck 25 as shown may be used as a platform upon which the electrical generation system can be placed and mounted as needed. Fuel is supplied by a fuel line 440 which may be removed from the DRIV. The electrical output is useful for a plethora of functions a partial list includes, lighting, power to small electrical devices i.e. radios, computers, gps, Icds, monitors, cameras, medical devices, test equipment, power to large electrical devices i.e. x-ray, cat scan, surgical centers, weaponry, communications centers and the like.

A water station 450 with water tanks 320 is shown supported off the ground resting on the auxiliary deck 310. The fuel tank 60 is also illustrated supported on said auxiliary deck.

FIGS. 7A through 7C show the constructions of an exemplary structure 500 using multiple DRIV cage bodies 20. The structure is a ground structure. Ground is not a limitation and said structure could be built on a suitable foundation above ground. By placing one DRIVs end up in a substantially vertical fashion and placing another DRIV perpendicular to form a corner 510 by connecting the adjacent sides of each DRIV with cable, rope, cord, fixtures and the like a fixed corner may be achieved and a larger structure formed. Additional DRIV cage bodies 20 may be added to increase wall 520 width or to form additional corners and expand said larger structure. A solar water heating system 515 is constructed of auxiliary decks 310 and/or lower decks 25 used in combination or separately to form a raised shelf at least partially off the ground and preferably near the top of the exemplary structure. Said raised platform may be used for storage of food, provide a look out platform and/or provide a platform to place water tanks 320 whereby solar radiation can heat water in said water tanks to form a supply of heated water. Water can be obtained via hose 520 which provides a gravity flow from a single water tank. Water can be obtained via a system of coupled hoses 530 which provides a gravity flow from multiple water tanks, said water flow from multiple water tanks being connected for distribution via a single hose 540.

FIG. 8 shows a roofed infrastructure structure 600. Roof structure 610 may be formed by adding a soft top with a top 620 and sides 630 over the upward ends of the exemplary structure 500. If same dimension DRIV cage bodies 25 are used to construct the exemplary structure 500 the soft top 600 may be prefabricated to substantially fit.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show the addition of photovoltaic panels to an exemplary structure 500 with an upper deck (comprised of multiple DRIV cage bodies and decks). The solar water heating system 515 can be used to support photovoltaic (“PV”) panels 700. Panels may also be connected to a foldable support 720 whereby the angle of the PV panel may be adjusted to match the inclination of the sun. Said support may either rest on top of said water tanks or preferably be attached to at least one of auxiliary decks 310 and/or lower decks 25.

Water tanks 320, auxiliary decks 310 and/or lower decks 25 may be used in combination or separately to form a raised shelf at least partially off the ground and preferably near the top of the exemplary structure. Said raised platform may be used for storage of food, provide a look out platform and/or provide a platform to place water tanks 320 whereby solar radiation can heat water in said water tanks to form a supply of heated water. Water can be obtained via hose 520 which provides a gravity flow from a single water tank. Water can be obtained via a system of coupled hoses 530 which provides a gravity flow from multiple water tanks, said water flow from multiple water tanks being connected for distribution via a single hose 540.

FIG. 10 shows a covered DRIV platform 800 soft hut. 810 is removable affixed to lower deck 25. Soft but 810 can act as a cover over the lower deck 25. Soft but 810 may be removed from said DRIV and ground mounted to provide temporary shelter.

While the method and agent have been described in terms of what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure need not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. The present disclosure includes any and all embodiments of the following claims.

It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made without departing from the essence of the disclosure. Such changes are also implicitly included in the description. They still fall within the scope of this disclosure. It should be understood that this disclosure is intended to yield a patent covering numerous aspects of the invention both independently and as an overall system and in both method and apparatus modes.

Further, each of the various elements of the disclosure and claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of an implementation of any apparatus implementations, a method or process implementations, or even merely a variation of any element of these.

Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of the invention, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms—even if only the function or result is the same.

Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this invention is entitled.

It should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an element which causes that action.

Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical element facilitates.

Any patents, publications, or other references mentioned in this application for patent are hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with such interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood as incorporated for each term and all definitions, alternative terms, and synonyms such as contained in at least one of a standard technical dictionary recognized by artisans and the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, latest edition are hereby incorporated by reference.

Finally, all references listed in the Information Disclosure Statement or other information statement filed with the application are hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference; however, as to each of the above, to the extent that such information or statements incorporated by reference might be considered inconsistent with the patenting of this/these invention(s), such statements are expressly not to be considered as made by the applicant(s).

In this regard it should be understood that for practical reasons and so as to avoid adding potentially hundreds of claims, the applicant has presented claims with initial dependencies only.

Support should be understood to exist to the degree required under new matter laws—including but not limited to United States Patent Law 35 USC 132 or other such laws—to permit the addition of any of the various dependencies or other elements presented under one independent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any other independent claim or concept.

To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the extent that the applicant did not in fact draft any claim so as to literally encompass any particular exemplary implementations, and to the extent otherwise applicable, the applicant should not be understood to have in any way intended to or actually relinquished such coverage as the applicant simply may not have been able to anticipate all eventualities; one skilled in the art, should not be reasonably expected to have drafted a claim that would have literally encompassed such alternative exemplary implementations.

Further, the use of the transitional phrase “comprising” is used to maintain the “open-end” claims herein, according to traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise, it should be understood that the term “compromise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, are intended to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or steps.

Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive forms so as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible. 

1. A mobile infrastructure platform comprising: a cage body frame with at least four detachable tires and wheels; at least one removable fuel tank; at least one removable battery; at least one removable electrical generator; at least one removable electrical motor; at least one transaxle coupled to the at least one electrical motor; at least one internal combustion engine removably mounted in said cage body coupled to said electrical generator whereby electricity may be generated; at least one removable coupling between said electrical generator an said removable internal combustion; said transaxle coupled to at least one of said wheels; and, a removable deck on top on said cage body.
 2. A configurable infrastructure platform comprising a ground structure formed of two or more cage body frames attached to each other forming a larger structure.
 3. The configurable infrastructure platform of claim 2 further comprising at least one additional cage body frame connected to and expanding said larger structure.
 4. The configurable infrastructure platform of claim 2 or 3 further comprising a soft top affixed to said larger structure forming a top cover or enclosure.
 5. A method of providing an electrical supply infrastructure the method comprising: driving a mobile platform vehicle with a body, fuel tanks, and electrical and, other motive components to a site; forming a power generation system by removing at least an internal combustion engine, a coupling to an electrical generator and an electrical generator from the body of the mobile platform vehicle; supplying fuel from the mobile platform vehicle tanks to said internal combustion engine; and, producing an electrical output from said electrical generator.
 6. The method of claim 5 the method further comprising: utilizing at least one of a battery, inverter and DC to DC converter from said mobile platform vehicle to charge said battery with at some of said electrical output from said electrical generator; and, using some of said electrical output provide a modified electrical output.
 7. The method of claim 6 the method further comprising supplying said modified electrical output to at least one of a water pump, small electrical devices and large electrical devices.
 8. A method of forming a disaster shelter comprising: driving a plurality of disaster relief infrastructure vehicles to a site; removing non-cage frame components; and connecting the cage frames to form at least one of walls and roof.
 9. The method of claim 8 the method further comprising transporting photovoltaic panels on said disaster relief infrastructure vehicles and adding said photovoltaic panels to the roof of said disaster shelter.
 10. The method of claim 8 the method further comprising transporting water storage on said disaster relief infrastructure vehicles and adding said water storage to the roof area of said disaster shelter whereby covering is created and at least one of water and heated water may be distributed via gravity flow.
 11. The method of claim 8 the method further comprising providing illumination in and around said disaster shelter from lights removed from said disaster relief infrastructure vehicles on and providing electrical power to said lighting by at least one of batteries from said disaster relief infrastructure vehicles and an electrical generator coupled to an internal combustion engine and fuel tank removed from said disaster relief infrastructure vehicles. 